Why international students choose Germany
Germany is one of the few major study destinations where most students at public universities pay no tuition. DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, says there are generally no fees for bachelor’s courses or most master’s courses at state higher education institutions (DAAD). Add a national scholarship system and political foundations that fund international students, and it is easy to see why Germany is on so many shortlists.
What it costs
Tuition. Most public universities charge no tuition, but there are two important exceptions for students from outside the EU and EEA:
- Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU and non-EEA students €1,500 a semester (Ministry of Science, Baden-Württemberg). This applies to universities such as Heidelberg, Freiburg and Tübingen.
- Bavaria allows universities to set fees for non-EU students. The Technical University of Munich, for example, usually charges €2,000 or €3,000 a semester for bachelor’s programmes and €4,000 or €6,000 for master’s programmes, with higher rates announced from winter semester 2027/28 (TUM).
Semester contribution. Every student pays a semester contribution, which DAAD says varies between €70 and €430 depending on the university (DAAD).
Living costs. DAAD reports that students in Germany spent €876 a month on average, based on the 2023 national student survey (DAAD). Costs are higher in cities such as Munich and lower in many smaller university towns.
The student visa and proof of funds
If you need a visa, you must show you can support yourself. DAAD states that, as of 1 January 2025, you must prove you have €992 a month available (DAAD). Many students do this with a blocked account (Sperrkonto), which releases a fixed amount each month. The amount can change, so confirm it with the German embassy or consulate in your country. Read our guide to proof of funds by country.
Working while you study
Students from outside the EU can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency, or up to 20 hours a week during term. There is no limit during semester breaks, and student assistant jobs at universities are not covered by these limits (Make it in Germany).
Scholarships for Germany
The largest funder is DAAD, which runs scholarships for international students from bachelor’s to doctoral level. Germany’s political foundations, such as the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, also fund international students, and research organisations such as the Max Planck Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fund doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Every listing below links to its official page, and our Top 10 scholarships in Germany compares the main options.
